A detailed investigation into the tragedy is taking place following the deadly crash of Air India Flight AI171, a catastrophic event that has left the aviation world reeling.
While the exact cause of the crash won’t be known until the investigation concludes, the critical moments immediately after take-off are now under intense scrutiny.
Experts from India, the US, and the UK are preparing to join forces to determine what brought down the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner just 1.5km (0.9 miles) from the runway at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
This marks the first fatal incident involving a 787-8 Dreamliner since it began commercial operations in 2011. The crash killed all but one of the 242 people onboard, as well as several people on the ground.
Indian aviation experts and pilots, some of whom fly the same aircraft type out of Indian international airports, have now offered insight into potential causes behind the disaster that unfolded over the densely populated city of Ahmedabad.
Struggling to Gain Altitude
The flight was operated by Captain Sumeet Sabharwal and co-pilot Clive Kundar, both seasoned professionals with over 9,000 combined flying hours. According to the London Evening Standard, India’s Home Affairs Minister explained that the aircraft took off at 13:39 local time (08:09 GMT) on Thursday with nearly a full load, including 100 tonnes of fuel.
Just moments after departure, however, the pilots issued a mayday call. The aircraft then lost contact with air traffic control. According to the sole survivor, a loud bang was heard in the cabin as the jet struggled to climb.
Footage verified by the BBC showed the plane flying unusually low over residential rooftops, reaching a peak altitude of just 625ft (190m) before descending sharply and disappearing from view. A fireball was then seen on the skyline.
“There would have been no time to react if both engines were lost,” one pilot said, noting the plane was airborne for just 30 seconds before the crash.
The aircraft struck residential buildings, damaging homes, hospitals, and government offices in the crowded area.
Possibility of Double Engine Failure
Investigators are now analyzing footage and recovered data to identify the chain of events. Among the leading theories is a double engine failure, a rare occurrence, but one that would explain the apparent power loss.
Some aviation professionals have speculated whether the aircraft’s Ram Air Turbine (RAT), an emergency device that powers key systems if both engines fail, was deployed.
Double engine failures are exceptionally rare. The most famous case remains the 2009 “Miracle on the Hudson,” in which a US Airways flight lost both engines due to a bird strike and glided to a safe water landing, CNN details.
One senior pilot said a similar failure could result from fuel contamination, leading to engine shutdown due to a blocked fuel metering system. However, former pilot Marco Chan told BBC there is no clear evidence yet of such a failure based on existing footage.
Engine maker GE Aerospace has dispatched a team to India, and Boeing has pledged full cooperation, though, have stated (via Reuters) that there's no reason for them to ground Boeing 787 flights following the shock incident.
Bird Strikes: A Known Risk at Ahmedabad
Another line of inquiry concerns bird strikes. Ahmedabad airport is known for frequent bird activity. Experts say Gujarat state reported 462 bird strikes in five years, with most occurring at this airport.
In 2022–23 alone, 38 strikes were recorded, a 35% rise from the previous year. Although bird strikes are common, they are rarely catastrophic unless both engines are affected.
Still, the possibility cannot be ruled out in an airport where pilots say “birds are always around.”
Could a Flap Configuration Error Be to Blame?
Some experts have also questioned whether incorrect flap settings contributed to the crash, according to Northeastern Global News. Flaps provide additional lift at low speeds, crucial for take-off, especially when the aircraft is heavy and temperatures are high.
In Thursday’s heat, which approached 40°C (104°F), proper flap use and engine thrust were even more critical. A misconfiguration could make it nearly impossible for a fuel-heavy aircraft to climb safely.
However, the Boeing 787 is equipped with a Take-Off Configuration Warning System, designed to alert pilots if flaps or other vital systems aren’t correctly set. This would typically prevent such an oversight from going unnoticed.
Marco Chan told BBC the current footage is too unclear to determine flap position, but noted that any such failure would point to rare human error, as flap settings are cross-checked multiple times before departure.
The coming days will be pivotal as investigators recover the black box and examine the wreckage in detail. Only then will the full story of Flight AI171, and the devastating loss of life it caused, begin to come into clearer focus.